Objective
- Protect workers and property from chemical hazards.
- Prevent or reduce chemical accidents, illnesses, injuries, and deaths at work.
Key Definitions
- Chemical substance: Organic/inorganic substances with molecular identity excluding radioactive materials.
- Chemical mixture: Combination of chemical substances without chemical reaction, including non-biodegradable mixtures.
- Container: Any receptacle holding hazardous chemicals.
- Criteria: Technical definitions for physical, health, and environmental hazards.
- Establishment: Any entity employing workers engaging in economic activity.
- Exposure: Availability of chemical for absorption via inhalation, ingestion, or skin.
- GHS: Globally Harmonized System for classifying and labeling chemicals.
- Hazardous materials: Substances known to be toxic, flammable, explosive, corrosive, oxidizing, or radioactive.
- Harmonization: Creating a standard basis for hazard classification and communication.
- Hazards: Inherent properties of chemicals posing danger regardless of quantity.
- Hazard Category/Class: Divisions describing severity and nature of hazards.
- Hazard Statement: Messages describing hazards associated with chemical products.
- Industrial chemicals: Chemicals used in manufacturing and handling processes at any scale.
- Label: Information affixed to chemical containers as per GHS.
- Manufacture: Transformation of substances into new products.
- Mixtures: Combination of chemicals without reaction.
- Precautionary Statement: Measures to minimize risks from hazardous products.
- Risk: Likelihood of injury from hazard exposure.
- SDS/MSDS: Documents detailing chemical properties and safety info.
- Toxic or hazardous substances: Chemicals harmful to health and environment on short and long terms.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Employers:
- Develop and implement chemical safety policies and programs.
- Ensure proper labeling and provide SDS as per GHS.
- Provide control measures and PPE.
- Train workers in chemical safety and GHS.
- Establish emergency response plans.
- Designate a Safety Officer responsible for regular inspections and training.
- Employees:
- Follow policies and safety procedures.
- Use safeguards properly.
- Report potential risks immediately.
- Safety and Health Committee:
- Plan accident prevention programs.
- Conduct monthly safety meetings.
- Review inspections and accident reports.
- Assist government inspectors.
- Organize safety training and emergency/disaster contingency plans.
Adherence to GHS Provisions
- Establishments must adopt latest GHS edition.
- Industrial chemicals classified under GHS physical and health hazards, e.g. explosives, flammable gases, carcinogens.
- Labels must include product and supplier identifiers, chemical identity, pictograms, signal words, hazard and precautionary statements.
- SDS with 16 sections providing detailed hazard, handling, and regulatory info must be accessible.
- Confidential Business Information (CBI) allowed with restrictions ensuring worker safety and emergency disclosure.
Chemical Safety Program Elements
- Facilities maintained orderly and with control measures.
- Control measures include:
- Engineering controls like enclosed processes and ventilation.
- Administrative controls reducing exposure and access.
- Worker’s right to know hazards, receive training, and refuse work in imminent danger.
- Storage requirements:
- Secure, ventilated areas;
- Proper segregation and labeling according to GHS;
- Regular inspection for chemical integrity;
- Minimization of stored quantities.
- Waste management following DENR DAO 92-26.
- Information and ongoing training on chemical handling and emergency response.
- Compliance with OSHS provisions on PPE, environmental monitoring, and medical surveillance.
- Emergency preparedness includes posted procedures, equipment, and trained response teams.
Monitoring and Enforcement
- The Bureau of Working Conditions and DOLE Regional Offices monitor compliance.
- Establishments with industrial chemicals considered hazardous and prioritized for inspection.
Repealing and Penal Provisions
- Previous inconsistent orders repealed or modified.
- Violations subject to penalties under Labor Code and related laws.
Transition and Effectivity
- One-year compliance deadline for all establishments using industrial chemicals.
- Department Order effective 15 days after publication in two newspapers.